Meditation

Defines what meditation is. Identifies the benefits of meditation and the research supporting these benefits. Reviews the history of meditation and how it came to be popular in North America. Identifies the most popular meditation techniques. Determines how to troubleshoot challenges that may arise while meditating.

Describes the different definitions of humor. Identifies the various theories of humor. Discusses the physiology and therapeutic effects of laughter. Discusses the use of humor in health care settings and the role of humor for health care professionals. Defines the relationship between children and humor and the elderly and humor. Identifies some strategies for adding humor to health care practices.

Describes the origin and goals of the new “positive psychology.” Lists the factors that contribute to happiness and life satisfaction. Discusses the research findings related to happiness and life satisfaction. Lists several activities and exercises that can enhance happiness and life satisfaction.

Identifies the memory changes that take place in normal aging. Discusses how mild cognitive impairment (MCI) differs from memory loss in normal aging and from dementia. Describes the cognitive and personality changes that take place in Alzheimer’s disease. Identifies cognitive and personality changes that occur in a range of non-Alzheimer’s disease dementias.